Maybe the name is not very original, but let me assure you that my opinions on the beer are. If you are not shy of trying new beer, I am quite sure that I will have something for you.

Sonntag, 16. Oktober 2016

Mons Biere Festival, 15-16 October 2016, Mons, Belgium (Part 1)

Belgian tourism is rather compact, which means that if
you leave in the middle of the country, there is never more than 1.5 hours’
drive in one direction. Then, we reach Germany, France, Holland or Luxemburg.
Therefore, the effort is really minimal. On top, there is a special thing about
Belgium: starting from September, you can go every weekend to a different city
and there is a beer festival. Visit and get beer on top. Is there anything that
could beat this type of tourism?

Of course not.

Today, this type of visit brought me to Mons. Based on
information found in Wikipedia the first signs of activity in the region of Mons are
found dating from theNeolithicperiod. Then there a lot of settlement
and activities were going in the region because of Caesar and the roman empire.
There was a Monastery build here in the early 8th century and one of the locals
Saint Waltrude was canonized in 1039. Even if the historical center of the town
is rather compact, it will provide you with a variety of buildings dater from
XI century and finalizing with the XV century The
collegiate church of Sainte-Waltrude. Honestly, the whole walk takes maybe 2
hours with kids, but it is really worth the time invested.

After
seeing the town, we head north to Lotto Mons Expo halls, which were heading the
small beer festival. It seems that this is the first time that Mons-Beer was
held. Thanks to David from Beer-City (La Louviere).

Honestly,
I have to admit that a venue is pretty strange, so far I was used to events
held (at least) partially under the sky, therefore the view of the humongous
hall, with a little beer stands at the bottom is quite funny. At the moment we
have arrived, there were not too many people inside, and I really appreciate
it. But no worries – the moment we were leaving it was already loud and
crowded.

Positives:

- The organizers did think about food stands and the scene probably meant
for the band was freely accessible for the kids, so no worries about anybody
betting bored (and yes, it is normal here to take kids to a beer festival).

- Big advantage of the closed exhibition hall is that the smokers
had to go out. I will keep on emphasizing it – you cannot mix smoking and beer
tasting. Smoking kills the taste. Point.

Negatives:

- What I didn’t
like is the fact, that some of the breweries didn’t have a possibility to wash
your glass in between. This is a must. You cannot seriously pour your beer to a
glass still contain the leftovers of previous beer. Not only you change the
taste. You also act like the AMATEUR.

- Second thing – since the area was closed
there was no way to discreetly throw the beer you don’t like. However, I understand
that this one is hard to get in the exhibition venue.

Now, how about some beer tasting:

BRASSERIE LA MONTOISE - BLONDE

BELGIUM

I have to be honest, this was not the good start of
the beer festival. This blonde is nothing special. Very typical taste and aroma
of malt and Belgian yeast. Nothing to kill you, but certainly nothing to rock
my world.

DE LA PLEINE LUNE - LUNETTE

(FRANCE)

I know, that I am complaining a lot about the
blonde/blanche beers being a boredom of the local craft scene. Why do I keep
trying – exactly for the moments like that one. Magical effects of adding Japanese
aroma hops (Sorachi Ace) to a classical style. You may like it or not, but
there is no doubt that it is original and bring a new wind in the old
tradition. Personally, one of the best beers in Mons.

LA BOUQUINE BACK IN BLACK PORTER

FRANCE

Another surprise from France. Rich, dark porter with
the aroma of dark chocolate and some malt. Very delicate hops in aftertaste.
Medium carbonation. I was seriously impressed by this brew. Great job in
interpretation of the traditional beer style. On top, I have to admit that I love the optymistic hop logo of the brewery. La Bouquine, we will meet again.